Adelaide adjusts defence for Hawthorn lefties

ADELAIDE will adjust its defensive mindset to combat Hawthorn's spate of left-footers at the MCG on Saturday.

Lance Franklin

ADELAIDE will adjust its defensive mindset to combat Hawthorn's spate of left-footers at the MCG on Saturday.

As much as half of Hawthorn's side could be made up of southpaws in the preliminary final, forcing the Crows to rethink their strategy without the ball.

Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo revealed the topic would be raised in team meetings this week, particularly when it comes to corralling the Hawks.

"They've (Hawthorn) got a lot of left footers in their team," van Berlo noted.

"And you naturally try to defend right-footers so we've got to switch the brain over a bit and remind ourselves that the majority of them are left-footers which will be a big challenge for us."

Nine players who favour their left-foot played for Hawthorn in its qualifying final win against Collingwood at the MCG.

Right-footed midfielder Sam Mitchell is also an excellent kick on his left while Jordan Lewis and Clinton Young - both southpaws - are almost certain to be recalled after missing the clash with the Magpies.

"It is surprising," van Berlo said of the amount of left-footers on Hawthorn's list.

"You wonder if it was a something where they (recruiting staff) actually targeted left-footers or whether they went around trying to find the genuinely good kicks.

"That's what they've got throughout their team and generally speaking, left-footers are good quality kicks so that's something we've got to be wary of this weekend."

The Crows were cut to shreds by the Hawks' kicking efficiency when they last met in round three at the MCG, something van Berlo wants to rectify on Saturday.

"Earlier in the year when we played them, they (Hawthorn) had 140-odd marks which meant we were letting them use their skills to their advantage by hitting up easy kicks," he said.

"So we've got to make sure we defend better than that this time around."